Press

Springtime at the White House

Jim McDaniel, former Director of the White House Liaison for NPS and Ellie Schafer, former Director of the White House Visitors Office

Date

3/30/17

Duration

36 minutes

Spring is a special time in our nation’s capital, when cherry blossoms bloom and the White House garden comes alive. Some spring traditions—like the famous White House Easter Egg Roll—date back to the 19th Century, while others are more recent additions. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Jim McDaniel, former Director of the White House Liaison for the National Park Service, and Ellie Schafer, former Director of the White House Visitors Office, about preserving the grounds and gardens and planning the iconic events that welcome thousands of visitors to the White House each year to celebrate the beginning of spring.

As President of the White House Historical Association Stewart McLaurin leads the nonpartisan, nonprofit in its mission to preserve, protect, and provide access to White House history. As a lifelong student of history, Stewart is an avid reader and storyteller. His first book, White House Miscellany was published this past year and he authors a quarterly column in the White House History Journal. Drawing on his own experiences, relationships, and knowledge he provides listeners with a front row seat to history at the White House.